This tattered supermarket receipt helped police bring a three-year crime spree to an end - and put a serial burglar behind bars.

Prolific crook Colin Richardson is today beginning a 12-year prison sentence after admitting being behind more than 20 break-ins - including targeting the home of a former mayor - between October 2012 and November 2015.

But after three years of thieving, the crook dropped himself in it when he left a Sainsbury’s receipt at one of the crime scenes.

The clue prompted some old-fashioned detective work by officers from Northumbria Police’s Northern CID team, who were able to link Richardson to 21 burglaries and two thefts.

And as he begins his long stretch behind bars, a senior police officer has described him as one of the most professional burglars he has come across in his career.

Chief Inspector Jamie Pitt said: “In 20 years of investigative experience this is the most professional, calculated and methodical burglar I have ever come across.

“I’d like to thank the community of Tynedale for their active support throughout what was a protracted investigation. I’d also like to thank the Investigating team for their tenacity, professionalism and outstanding Investigation skills.

“Tackling rural crime is a key priority for us and I hope this sentence goes someway to deter others who might think about targeting our rural communities.”

And Det Sgt Jill Hall added: “We welcome the punishment handed down by the courts today. Colin Richardson is a professional criminal and is now off our streets and behind bars for a significant amount of time.

“Richardson has destroyed people’s lives, causing both emotional distress and financial loss to all his victims and I hope this result can at last bring some peace of mind to all victims.”

The receipt (left) and Colin Richardson (right)

Police were investigating 21 burglaries and two thefts, which happened in the Tynedale area between October 2012 and November 2015.

Detectives’ breakthrough came on October 23, last year, when police received a report of a burglary in the Stocksfield area.

After carrying out searches at the burgled property officers recovered a receipt from a Sainsbury’s store in Newcastle.

Detectives downloaded CCTV from the supermarket and identified Richardson as the person who made the transaction.

Having linked an individual to the crime scene, a search was launched to find the prime suspect.

He was eventually spotted by officers as he travelled on a bus in Newcastle’s west end and arrested.

Shortly after the arrest, a Skoda and Peugeot stolen from Tynedale were found in a car park in Jesmond. This led police to a home in Newcastle, linked to relatives of Richardson, and an Aladdin’s cave of stolen goods including jewellery, antique ornaments, cash, electrical items and commemorative items were found.